Matt Hancock says face covering 'would not help in offices or schools' and responds to quarantine advice

Speaking on Sky News, Mr Hancock responded to a number of points regarding the latest government stance on lockdown restrictions.

On face coverings, Mr Hancock said they would not help in offices or schools.

Mr Hancock said: "There is some evidence, it's weak, but there is some evidence that the face covering can help if you're in an indoor place where there are other people who you don't see regularly," he said.

"If you're stuck in an office with them for a long time, then the face covering doesn't help, or in school, for instance, that's why we don't recommend them for offices or schools."

Asked about the 14-day quarantine for travellers arriving in the UK and the impact on the airline industry, Health Secretary Matt Hancock told Sky News: "There's lots of things that we're having to do to control this virus that I wish we didn't have to do... but it's a matter of fact that we have to control this virus.

"Because otherwise hundreds of thousands of people will die so it is something that we are going to have to do."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor